Mineral water museum

(Szejke Spa)
- visiting period May 1 to September 30 -

The healing properties of the mineral waters at Szejke Spa – according to the remaining sources – were recognized as early as the 18th century.
In the second half of the next century, between 1871-1890, the spa and its area belonged to Balázs Orbán. It was him who restored it and lifted the bath from the rank of a simple “peasant bath” to a popular spa. Its center was the hot bath with 24 tubs using the water of the Attila-spring and the cold-water pool connected to it. The water of the Sarolta (Charlotte) spring, just North from the hot bath, was used as drinking water. Villas, or as locals called them, lodges were built at the bath. The visitors of the spa and the tourists from the town could dine and celebrate listening to gipsy music in the Mózes Székely restaurant which could accommodate 100 people. The locals weren’t the only visitors to Szejke. Despite its small size, it hosted a rather significant spa-loving public. During its heyday, it could accommodate a crowd of 340 people. Contemporary newspapers reported on its low costs and family-like atmosphere.
Szejke remained a favorite place of residence for Balázs Orbán until his death in 1890, and according to his will, he was also buried here. The death of Balázs Orbán has put an end to the spa’s progression.
On the northern part of the spa (next to the 13A county road), a 268 m2 wooden building was constructed between 2004-2008 with the aim to host the Mineral Water Museum of Szeklerland. The museum opened in 2009 and housed a permanent exhibition for more than a decade. It was redesigned and reorganized in 2021 to meet modern expectations, incorporating interactive and audio-visual methods and tools, along with descriptions in three languages. Visitors can gain insight into the process of mineral water distribution, and marvel at the Szejke-water jugs and the water-transporting buffalo wagon, which have become symbols of the town.
Visitors can explore the mineral water fountains and springs by “walking through” the map of geologist János Bányai, who identified nearly 2,500 mineral water springs in Szeklerland. A fraction of his collection of minerals and rocks are also displayed here.
The statue created by László Hunyadi reminds visitors of the invaluable contributions of Balázs Orbán. Visitors can follow Orbán’s travels through Szeklerland, which he commemorated in his major work Székelyföld leírása (Description of Szeklerland), published between 1868 and 1873. One can also become acquainted with different periods in the history of bathing culture by entering the classically built wooden bathing cabins, which serve as time capsules.